Explosive Reunion

by Karen Kirst

  She averted her face, giving him his answer. Not interested. Or not ready.

  “You mentioned some guys in your platoon didn’t agree with how you handled the incident with William. Could they be working with Aaron?”

  “Corporal Wendell Lamont and Lance Corporal Rodney Truman. Both were close friends of his. I gave their names to Claxton tonight. He’s going to work with the provost marshal on base. Check their recent whereabouts and see if there’s a connection to Aaron.”

  “What exactly happened over there, Cade?”

  Reliving that day in his head was hard enough. Saying the words aloud gave the events power, brought the smells, sounds, sights and emotions to life again. He preferred to keep them buried. Tori was entrenched in this mess, though.

  “We were out on foot patrol, doing a walk-through of a town near the FOB.”

  Their heavy gear had made the oppressive heat almost unbearable. Dust had coated his skin. Little kids had trailed their group in anticipation, hoping for candy or snacks. “We were knocking on doors, talking with the locals, on the lookout for weapons caches or electronics that could be used as detonators.”

  “How many were in your group?”

  “Twelve.” Lamont, Truman and Poole had taken up the rear. Faulkner had been the closest to Cade. They’d left the last house on that street when Faulkner started mouthing off about his favorite sports team, taunting Lamont. “In my headset, I heard the warning of possible insurgents heading our way and orders to return to the FOB. Before I could instruct my men, a round whistled through the air and embedded in the wall near my head. We scrambled for cover.”

  Her hand covered his and held on tightly.

  “Faulkner got shot in the leg. I dragged him behind a walled enclosure of the nearest house. He was losing too much blood, so I fashioned a tourniquet.”

  “While being fired upon?”

  “We were pinned down by small arms fire. I radioed for the QRF. Sorry. That’s the Quick Response Force.”

  “When did you learn about William?”

  “I didn’t see him get hit, but Lamont told us over comms. There wasn’t anything we could do to try to save him.”

  He’d never forget that moment and the gut-punch realization that another Marine wasn’t going to make it home to his family. William had been a good soul, a good Marine who’d given 100 percent of himself, both in training and in real-life battle. His had been a tougher-than-usual loss.

  Cade had been devastated. He’d mourned William’s death along with the rest of the men. He still wrestled with nightmares of that day. In wartime scenarios, a man in his position had to make split-second decisions. Did he second-and third-guess those decisions? Every day.

  “I can’t imagine,” she murmured sadly. “How heart-wrenching for you and everyone there. Not to mention his friends and family.”

  He recalled their seething anger in the days following the ambush. They didn’t accuse him within his hearing, but they also didn’t try to hide their resentment. They were just shy of insubordinate. He’d ignored it because they’d been grieving. Reeling from the loss, like everyone in their platoon.

  Thankfully, Brett had been there and offered a sounding board during those trying days.

  “Lamont and Truman ignored the chain of command, went straight to my superior and complained that my actions led to William’s death.”

  “That must’ve been difficult.”

  “To be honest, I didn’t have too much time to dwell on their dissatisfaction. We continued with foot and mobile patrols. I had to keep my head in the game or risk another tragedy. The commanders did call us in one by one to record everyone’s accounts of what transpired.”

  “And concluded that you weren’t at fault.”

  “Yes.” Regret weighed him down. “Not a day goes by that I don’t wish we’d left even five minutes earlier. William would still be with us.”

  “Cade, Lamont and Truman suffered the loss of their friend. They blame you for his death. They could’ve joined forces with Aaron to enact revenge.”

  “It’s possible. I’m afraid, until we find out, we’re going to have be recluses. In the morning, we’ll get my leave papers signed and then return here for the duration.”

  She forked another bite, soaking up the excess syrup on the plate. “An extended closure won’t be good for The Canine Companion.”

  “You and your mom have a lot of loyal customers. They won’t desert you.”

  “Fretting about my safety and the state of her business isn’t going to help her reclaim her health.” She put down her fork. “I thought coming home was a good idea. I prayed long and hard before handing in my resignation. I sought God’s direction, but maybe I got it wrong.”

  Guilt stole his appetite. “I hate that you’ve been drawn into this because of me.” Pushing away his plate, he met her gaze. “With Claxton’s help, we’re going to identify the men working with Aaron. When we do, they’ll be caught and thrown in jail.”

  “And if we don’t figure it out in time?”

  “I will do everything in my power to keep you safe, Tori.”

  Apprehension churned in her eyes. “What about you, Cade? Who’s going to keep you safe?”

  ELEVEN

  Despite being on a guarded base among servicemen and women who knew how to handle emergencies and threats, Cade radiated unease. Beneath his blue T-shirt with the McMann fishing logo on it, his shoulders were taut with tension. Not knowing his enemies’ identities and entertaining the possibility that it could be people he had worked closely with had to be tough to handle.

  Tori couldn’t imagine going into the library where she’d worked and worrying that one of her coworkers meant her harm.

  They’d borrowed Jason’s older sedan until they could get a rental. He and a friend had come to Cade’s bright and early that morning to drop it off. The ride over to the main base had been a quiet one, both of them on the lookout for motorcycles. They both hoped no one would recognize them in the different vehicle.

  Cade stuck close as they passed uniform redbrick buildings. His stride was shorter and slower than usual due to his leg wound. “As soon as we get my leave squared away, we’ll go back to my place. Julian promised to drop off groceries later. You’ll probably be bored, but you can finally rest and recuperate from our weekend’s adventures.”

  “After what we’ve been through, I welcome the mundane.”

  They entered a huge, grassy field surrounded by more brick buildings—barracks where the younger men in Cade’s infantry unit lived. There were offices, as well. Supply. Admin. Intel.

  “This is the first time I’ve been on base in years. It’s a hit of nostalgia.”

  She’d lived in base housing until the year she turned ten. Shortly after her birthday, her parents had decided to move to Sneads Ferry. They’d started attending the same church as the McManns, and a friendship between the families was born.

  “The base theater’s still there. Cheap movies and the best hotdogs you’ll ever eat.”

  They shared a smile. Sometimes Tori missed the innocence of those days.

  “We must’ve seen dozens of movies.” Most of the time, it had been just her and Cade, but Angela had joined them on occasion.

  “Hundreds,” he countered, a twinkle in his eye.

  Overhead, three helicopters buzzed toward the river. A loud boom rumbled beneath her feet. She flinched and shielded her head with her hands.

  Cade’s warm hands settled on her exposed shoulders. “It’s okay. Just artillery practice.”

  Tori laughed at herself. “I forgot.”

  Camp Lejeune was a massive training area. People working and living on base quickly got used to the explosions, which could be felt from miles away.

  Tori’s attention wandered to a Marine near a set of brown dumpsters. His bright red hair caught her
eye. Sunlight glinted off his glasses. He was leaning against one of the dumpsters, deep in conversation with a woman clothed in casual jeans and a shirt, a single ponytail trailing the middle of her back.

  Tori latched onto Cade’s hand and pointed. “Isn’t that Heath?”

  “He’s supposed to be in class in half an hour.”

  The girl got up in Heath’s face and jammed a finger in his chest. “That’s not the same girl he had at Mom’s party. What was her name? Looks like they’re having a disagreement.”

  He shook his head. “You wouldn’t believe some of the drama we have around here. It’s like high school, only worse.”

  “Because of the frequent separations? And knowing someone you care about might be in harm’s way?”

  His somber gaze probed hers. “That adds to the strain, yes.”

  They watched as the girl stalked away, leaving Heath to stare after her.

  “I hope he’s not a poor influence on Jason,” she mused.

  “Seriously, Tori. You have to give your brother some credit.”

  She winced. “Even though he’s eighteen, I still see him as my goofy little brother.”

  “He knows it, too.”

  “And resents it,” she said with a sigh.

  They cut a diagonal path across the field to the offices, which were located on the bottom level.

  “Jason has a mom. He needs you to be his sister. A friend and confidante.”

  Cade was right. If she wanted to build a relationship with Jason, she had to start treating him like an adult.

  He reached for the metal knob. “A word of warning. Having a female with me is going to blow their minds.”

  “Why is that? I have it on good authority that you don’t lack admirers.” Admirers he kept at arm’s length, she’d been told.

  “My mom likes to think her only son is a catch.” Rolling his eyes, he ushered her into a long room with painted cement-block walls and half a dozen metal desks. Men in camouflage and chunky sand-colored boots were busy with paperwork and phone calls. Tori felt their collective attention lock on to her, surprise reflected on their faces.

  As Cade motioned her forward, the Marines offered friendly greetings and sly smiles that promised intense questioning later on. Not one of them impressed her as capable of personal vendettas. But she wasn’t a good judge of character, was she?

  He pointed out his desk. Besides the nameplate, there were no personal effects to set it apart from any other.

  A blond man emerged from an office on their left. “Cade. What’s this I hear about you taking emergency leave?”

  “I’ll fill you in later.” He moved close, so that his shoulder pressed to hers. “Brett, I’d like you to meet Tori James.”

  The stripes on his sleeve indicated he was a staff sergeant, the same rank as Cade. The strip above his breast pocket announced his surname, Johnson. Slightly shorter than Cade, he had a stocky build and a pleasant demeanor. The pleasantness vanished at the mention of her name. His gaze cooled to ice chips and his lips lost their good humor.

  “The ex-fiancée. Cade’s told me about you.” From the glint in his eyes, he didn’t approve. Tori couldn’t be sure if she was being paranoid or if he actually disliked her on sight. Indicating the sheaf of papers in his hand, he motioned to the door in back. “I’m taking these to Admin. Walk with me.”

  In the hallway, the fluorescent light glinted off black-and-white tiles that likely dated a few decades back. The building had a utilitarian vibe, but it was squeaky clean.

  Walking in the middle, she glanced between the two men. “You were at Parris Island together?”

  “A three-month long trial.” Cade spoke first.

  “I can think of a few other names for it.” Brett nodded. “We were together again at SOI.”

  “School of Infantry?”

  “Yes. We haven’t always been in the same units, but we’ve kept in contact through the years.” They turned a corner and proceeded along another nondescript hall. Brett cast her a sideways glance. “Cade told me you couldn’t get out of North Carolina fast enough. What brought you back after all these years?”

  Aware of Cade’s frown, she said, “Business.”

  “Instead of family?” The condescension in his tone put her on the defensive. “You returned for financial gain instead of sentimental reasons.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “It was a combination of both, actually.” Cade stopped short, his hands clenched at his sides. “I don’t know what’s got under your skin, but Tori isn’t on trial here.”

  “You’re right,” he said curtly. “Sorry.”

  “I’ve got papers to sign.”

  She and Cade retraced their steps. Just before turning the corner, Tori glanced over her shoulder. Brett stood, watching their retreat, anger evident in his locked jaw and stiff posture. Disquiet strummed through her. The staff sergeant’s hostility had been instantaneous and, in her mind, unfounded.

  Once Cade’s business was squared away, she asked him about it.

  “I apologize for his rudeness.” They kept to the building’s perimeter as they made their way to the parking lot. “While we were overseas, his wife got lonely and turned to another man.” There was no denying his disgust. “I’d heard of it happening, of course, but not to anyone I knew.”

  At the sedan, he opened the door for her, a courteous habit he didn’t think twice about.

  “So he’s angry with women in general?”

  Cade stuck the key in the ignition but didn’t start the engine. “He knows our history. I can only assume he was unhappy to see us together.”

  “How long ago did it happen?”

  “She wrote him an email a couple of weeks before our tour was up, so a little more than six months ago.”

  Brett’s heartbreak was fresh. No wonder he’d reacted the way he had. While their situations were different, Tori had left Cade. Just like Brett’s wife had left him.

  “An email? That’s cold.”

  “She didn’t have a choice. A mutual friend saw her out with the other man and threatened to tell Brett herself if she didn’t. But yeah, it was harsh. He’d been stoked about their reunion. He was going to surprise her with a romantic getaway.” He raked a hand through his hair. “He puts on a brave front, but he’s not himself. He and Marlene were together for eight years. He expected to spend the rest of his life with her.” He paused. “You know as well as I do that expectations aren’t always realistic.”

  Tori stared out the window at a group of Marines sitting in a distant field, cleaning their weapons. “Angela warned me about spending time with you.”

  His hand fisted on his thigh. “Our friends are right to be concerned. We let our unresolved issues fester for ten years.” His voice became strained. “We were planning a life together, Victoria. A house on the river, remember? A dog and three kids.”

  The loss of that dream punched her in the gut, as fresh as the day he told her the fateful news. “Of course I remember,” she whispered.

  “As far as I’m concerned, we both played a role in the demise of our relationship. I was an arrogant fool.”

  “What was I?”

  He winced. “Hurt.”

  “I felt betrayed.”

  “You had every right to feel that way.”

  “But instead of staying and talking it out, I ran away.”

  “I’m sorry for every tear you shed because of me.”

  Her heart squeezed. “I’m sorry for not fighting for us.”

  His throat worked. “I propose a fresh start.” Cade stuck out his hand. “What do you say? Friends again?”

  Friendship with the man who’d captured her heart and never returned it? Was it possible? Or wishful thinking?

  Tori placed her hand in his, praying she wasn’t hurdling over a mental barrier that
would spell her demise.

  * * *

  “Do you mind swinging by my apartment?” Tori asked as they left the base. “I’ll need clothes and toiletries.”

  He checked the rearview mirror, on the lookout for anyone tailing them. “As long as we make it quick.”

  She’d had no choice but to wear the same black pants she’d had on last night. Her sparkly tank top had gotten torn in the scuffle, so he’d lent her a standard gray T-shirt with initials USMC in black across the front. It swallowed her petite form and hung to mid-thigh, but he liked seeing her in Marine gear. She’d combed her hair so that it fell in a shiny curtain around her cheeks.

  The ride was uneventful. Jason’s older model sedan was a good decoy. No doubt Aaron and his buddies would be expecting them to get a rental car. Not surprisingly, Jason had made them promise to replace it with a sports car if it got destroyed.

  “Why does the sign say Open?” Tori scooted forward in the seat as they drew alongside the house. “And why is my mom’s car in the driveway?”

  “Knowing Barbara, she probably decided to man the shop alone.”

  “Without telling me?”

  “You didn’t tell her about our run-in in the woods.”

  “That’s different,” she huffed.

  He parked on the curb behind a battered minivan and glanced around at the neighboring houses. So many hiding places.

  “The way I see it, you’re trying to shield her at the same time she’s trying to prove she’s not an invalid. You underestimate each other. You and Barbara are two of the strongest women I know.”

  Her eyes widened. “You think so?”

  “Your mom launched and operated a business without the support of her husband.” Whenever Thomas wasn’t deployed, he’d chosen not to involve himself in his wife’s venture. Another strike against him in Tori’s book. “After his death, she carried on with the determination and discipline of a proper soldier. And you. Well, you were her second-in-command. Always there for her, whether it was helping Jason study for a test or manning the shop’s cash register. Now look at you... You put your life on hold for her benefit and were rewarded with attacks on your life. Yet you didn’t crumble. Didn’t have a pity party. You’re the epitome of grace under fire. If you were a Marine, I’d be fortunate to face the enemy with you by my side.”